UPD Chief Burton to retire, assistant chief appointed

Contributed by:Gail L. WernerPublished:Thursday, 17 July 2014 4:00 PM

University Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Gene Burton will retire on July 31. Gene has served the university with distinction for 34 years. He has watched over the safety of tens of thousands of students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. On behalf of the university, I extend our deepest appreciation for his service.

A national search for a new police chief will begin immediately.

I am also pleased to announce that James Duckham has been named the new associate director of public safety and assistant chief of police for the Ball State University Police Department, effective Aug. 4.

As the second in command, James will direct the operations of UPD in the absence of the chief of police. His responsibilities will also include directing the records department, dispatch area, crime prevention, and the UPD accreditation process as well as serving on several university committees.

James will bring more than 25 years of police experience to campus. He comes to Ball State from Dutchess College, the Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based community college affiliated with the State University of New York (SUNY), where he held the title of assistant director of campus safety and security.

He also has experience working as an officer for the New York City Police Department and is a graduate of the NYPD Police Academy. In addition to his law enforcement experience, he is a graduate of Pace University School of Law.